MANILA – FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares is championing the Secure Call Act, a proposed measure aimed at regulating caller ID authentication and combating voice call scams, deepfakes, and unauthorized recordings that threaten privacy and security. The bill, highlighted in recent congressional discussions as of December 2025, seeks to mandate telecom providers to implement secure caller verification systems while imposing stricter penalties for fraudulent calls and illegal recordings.
Poe, a vocal advocate for cybersecurity and digital rights, framed the legislation as essential in an era of rising AI-driven fraud: “Scammers exploit technology to deceive Filipinos—Secure Call Act will authenticate legitimate calls, block spoofing, and protect citizens from voice cloning and privacy violations.” Key provisions include:
- Caller ID Authentication: Telecoms required to adopt STIR/SHAKEN protocols (used globally to verify caller legitimacy).
- Anti-Spoofing Measures: Blocking manipulated caller IDs.
- Penalties for Violations: Harsher fines and jail time for scam calls and unauthorized audio/video recordings.
- Privacy Safeguards: Stronger enforcement against deepfake voice misuse.
The push aligns with Poe’s broader tech governance agenda, including his Philippine Artificial Intelligence Governance Act and calls for stronger data protection post-breaches. It responds to surging complaints over scam calls (millions annually) and privacy concerns in video platforms.
Supporters, including consumer groups and cybersecurity experts, praise it as timely amid AI threats. Critics worry about implementation costs passed to consumers, but Poe assures focus on public-private partnerships.
As scams erode trust in communications, the Secure Call Act represents a proactive step—turning calls from potential threats into secure connections.
Bill Highlights Snapshot:
| Feature | Proposed Provision |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Mandatory STIR/SHAKEN for telecoms |
| Anti-Fraud | Block spoofed/manipulated IDs |
| Penalties | Increased for scams and illegal recordings |
| Privacy | Protections against deepfakes/AI misuse |